The Washington critic., 1887-12-31
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
Visit to the Grant Family at Their
New York Residence.
FIRST LETTER OF COLUMBUS.
A Sketch of the New Editor of the
Cherokee National Organ.

New York World: People who know
Colonel William L. Scott as perma-
nent resident of the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
and us the owner of q magnificent resi-
dence in Washington, where he is
pointed out to the new Members rs "thc
richest man in the lower House." know
really small part of his life. The
quaint old city of Erie, Pa, is his home
and the haven of his ambitions. There
nc built for Rayon dor, the costliest
race horse ever brought into the cour-
try, palace in hard wood and marble,
covered race-track and outbuildings
for the numerous stud of this great
French stations equine dependents
which cover the area of an ordinary vii
lage and are twice rs well paved watcred
and swept That was one pet project oftho
coal kings domestic life. Another is
the Scott Block, the handsomcst busi-
ness structure in the little lake city, and
in which Colonel Scott has his extensive
home offices and carries on'his big coal
and iron business. Still another is the
Erie Herald, an afternoon newspaper,
for which he sometimes writes double
loaded leaders, and in which he owns n
majority of stock. A fourth, of which
he used to be proud, until fire swept II
away, was "The Head" splendid sum
mer hotel at the head of Presqu' Isle
Bay, the most picturesque strip of water
along the southern lake coast
va
The following is from an article on
'"Treasures of the Astor Library" by
Frederick Saunders. in Woman for Jan
uary: "Among the historic relics of the
library isa copy of the first letter of
Columbus, of which only six are known
TO exist. Although it consists of only
four leaves, duodecimo yet at an auction
sale in London, in 1872, copy sold for
300. This interesting document is the
rift of Mr.. w. w. Astor. Columbus, IL
will be remembered, sailed from Palos,
IN his first voyage TO America, in
August, 1902, and returned TO Spain in
March of the following year. This, his
inst letter, descriptive of his dis
boveries and adventures, he wrote mt
Lisbon, soon after his return to that
place. He addressed the letter TO
Raphael Sanchis, treasurer to the King
of Spain. The manuscript of this letter,
in Spanish, is, it is stated, in the Am
brosian library at Milan. A Latin ver-
sion was soon after made and printed at
Rome, in 1893, by Stephen Planck. So
great was the interest caused by its
publication that several additions were
demanded within the year of its appear
ance. 1t is also stated that it was put
into rhyme by Dati, and sung about the
streets OF Rome, announcing the dis
covery Of the new world
w.
81 never saw money so tight in my
ife," said a prominent Broadway ncr-
chant at the Hoffman to n New York
Press reporter the other afternoon. 81
sent down to my store this morning for
$780, received an answer that they
could not spare it. had to have some
money and sent out to collect some bills
due from well-known houses. One
owed me $3.50, another $92. The first
paid 500 on account, the second $50.
Both sent word it was the best they
could do If had $500, 900 in cash to-
morrow ] could lend it easily at II per
cent"
~.
Ridge Paschall, who has been ap-
pointed editor of the Cherokee Adcocate
under the new Mayes administration,
served his newspaper apprenticeship in
Texas. He is son of George w. Pas
chall, who was at one time Chief Justice
of Arkansas, and subsequently a Judge
of the highest court in Texas, and who
is known to the law students as the au-
thor of ''Paschall's Annotated Constitu-
ton" Ridge PaschalPs mother was a
half-breed Cherokee. She is still living
and makes her home at Galveston, Tex.
Ridge resided in Texas until about -four
or five years ago. In the Lone Stai
\. LII IL a.
cian and was collector of customs at
Corpus Christi when Grant was Presi-
dent. He also served a term as district
attorney Of the Austin district in Texas
and was for long time a United
States Commissioner. He was dele
gate-at-arge from Texas TO the Republi
can National Convention of 1880, and
voted for Grant from the first to the las
ballot. A 1906" medal commemorative,
of fealty to Grant is Ridges proudes
decoration. He is good lawyer and ,
forcible writer, and as editor of the oili-
cial organ of the Cherokees will he SURF
Ridge Paschalls sister is the wife o
Mr.. Thomas Power O'Connor, Mr.. Par
nell's ablest lieutenant in the British
Parliament.
~
A number of gentlemen Were talking
in front of the Ebbitt House the othe
evening, says Washington letter, whel
one of them said: "That reminds me O
story which Lot Morrill, once told IN
of his own writing. 1t was at the tim
when Major Dunn of the Army wa
paying attention to the Senator's daugh
ter The young people had come TO u,
understanding. But Miss Morril
thought that papa's consent ought to b
obtained before they proceeded further
Major Dunn wrote nice letter /
"papa,' in which he requested that tn
future of the young lady might be con
fided TO his care. Senator Morrill, coul
read the signature, but the rest Of tn
letter was worse than Greek to him. II
OWNED its contents, however, an
at once wrote a reply, TO which til
desired consent was given. Dunn too
it to his lady-love with the remnrl;
'fHere's your fathers letter" "Wha
does he say ?" eagerly inquired In
young lady. 81 have been trying +
find out ever since ! received it" wa
the answer, "but l can make nothin
out of it," Miss Morrill, tried to ren,
the note, but she, too, failed. "Nevc
mind" said the lover, 1--WE will get maj
ried anyhow" And they were married
Mrs. Dunn has both the letters framed
She says that there is not Il person o.
earth who can read either of them.